Additional Coverage:
- A free Iran is their shared dream. But the diaspora remains torn on the best path forward. (nbcnews.com)
LOS ANGELES – Last Saturday, the streets of Los Angeles became a stage for a poignant and deeply divided narrative within the Iranian American community, as two distinct protests unfolded simultaneously. The contrasting scenes reflected the profound and often conflicting emotions stirring among those whose lives are inextricably linked to a homeland grappling with escalating violence in the Middle East.
Outside City Hall, hundreds of Iranian Americans gathered to voice their strong opposition to what they termed an “unsanctioned war.” Chants of “Stop the war in Iran” and “We the people don’t want war” echoed through the air, highlighting a fervent desire for peace and a rejection of military intervention.
Meanwhile, just a few miles away in “Tehrangeles,” a vibrant Westside neighborhood known for its strong Iranian diaspora presence, a different scene entirely was playing out. Here, hundreds celebrated with unbridled joy, viewing the recent U.S.-Israeli strikes and the rumored death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as a potential harbinger of regime change. American, Israeli, and pre-Islamic Revolution Iranian flags waved proudly as music filled the air, marking a jubilant expression of hope for a new era in Iran.
These starkly different reactions underscore the complex tapestry of emotions felt by Iranian Americans, particularly those whose families sought refuge from the theocratic regime that came to power following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Abbas Milani, director of Iranian studies at Stanford University, explained the chasm in perspectives: “Some people are so aggrieved at this regime that they say, ‘At any cost, come and destroy this regime even if it means destroying parts of the country.’ Others want to get rid of the regime but not at the expense of war.”
This recent surge in division marks a notable departure from earlier this year, when the diaspora largely presented a united front in solidarity with Iranians protesting the government’s brutal crackdown. While the overarching goal of a free Iran remains shared, the path to achieving it has become a source of intense disagreement.
“The images of the destruction and the very joyous support that some give to the idea of war has become a source of more tension than we normally get in the diaspora,” Milani observed. “It will get harder before it dissipates.”
The online sphere has become a battleground for these intensifying debates. Supporters of military action are increasingly labeled “Zionists,” a term that has taken on a derogatory connotation against Jewish individuals since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. Conversely, anti-war voices face accusations of being pro-regime, further polarizing the discussion.
Beyond the immediate conflict, the diaspora also grapples with the contentious question of future leadership should the current government fall. Figures like Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last shah, garner support from some, while others remain wary of any return to a monarchical system.
As these internal struggles unfold, the humanitarian crisis in Iran deepens. Rising death tolls and a government-imposed internet blackout have left many unable to contact loved ones. The approaching Nowruz, the Persian New Year and a time traditionally dedicated to celebrating spring and renewal, now looms under a shadow of uncertainty.
Following reports of Khamenei’s death, speculation has mounted regarding his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as a potential successor. Analysts also suggest that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a dominant force in Iran’s military, political, and economic landscape, stands to expand its power if it withstands the current conflict.
Adding to the geopolitical complexities, President Donald Trump indicated Thursday his desire for a complete overhaul of Iran’s leadership, even mentioning he has “good leader” candidates in mind. However, a recent NBC News poll revealed that 54% of potential American voters disapprove of Trump’s military engagement in Iran, mirroring the internal divisions within the Iranian diaspora itself. A 2023 poll by the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) and YouGov found that 53% of Iranian Americans opposed U.S. military action against Iran, a sentiment that a new NIAC poll, expected next week, will likely revisit.
“We are not a monolith,” stated the influential Instagram account Iranian Diaspora Collective, which boasts over 81,000 followers. “Millions of people will never share the same ideology or identity and that plurality is the strength of any free society.”
Los Angeles-based pastor Ara Torosian, a Christian who immigrated from Iran in 2010, expressed profound heartbreak over the destruction of historic sites and the loss of innocent lives, particularly children. Yet, for Torosian, the current suffering, however tragic, is weighed against generations of pain endured by dissidents under the regime. He recounted his own harrowing experience of being jailed and beaten by the Revolutionary Guard for possessing Christian items in his Tehran home.
Like many, Torosian found a sense of triumph in the news of the supreme leader’s death. “This is not happiness you see in the streets,” he clarified, “We celebrate the hope that this regime will end.” While he holds a “hate-love” view of foreign intervention, his disappointment is largely directed at Iranians who oppose the strikes entirely.
“We don’t want war, but at the same time what do we do? We tried protesting against the regime and they just killed more people,” he said, referencing this year’s deadly demonstrations. “War is the only hope for a new Iran.”
However, New York-based activist and commentator Ariana Jasmine represents a different perspective. Despite understanding the rationale behind those who support military action, she feels like a “black sheep” within the Iranian diaspora for her opposition to the war. Jasmine advocates for an internal revolution led by Iranian dissidents, a sentiment shared by many who believe foreign intervention will ultimately exacerbate the situation and that Iranians should determine their own future.
Born in the United States, Jasmine’s parents moved the family back to Iran after experiencing racism following the September 11th terrorist attacks. Her two years of schooling in Iran were marked by profound distress over the Islamic Republic’s religious zealotry, living in constant fear of the Revolutionary Guard’s violent enforcement. At 13, desperate to escape, she attempted suicide, prompting her parents to move her back to the U.S.
Years later, despite the trauma, Jasmine still dreams of returning to Iran. “I miss everything about it,” she shared.
“It’s just really the government and the subjugation of its people and forced religion that has truly wrecked my country, not just on a surface level but deeply as well. That kind of political trauma changes people.”
As news reports detail airstrikes decimating neighborhoods and historic sites, Jasmine wonders about the future of her homeland. “I would love to go back, but what will I go back to?”
she questioned. “I don’t want to go back to rubble.”